1. IMPORTANT TAX INFORMATION REGARDING 2003 CASH DISTRIBUTIONS
ON
DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC.
COMMON SHARES
(cusip: 256605106)
In 2003, Dole Food Company, Inc. paid one quarterly cash distribution of $0.15
per share. In the Company’s estimati on, this cash distribution paid to its
shareholders in the first quarter of 2003 will be taxable as ordinary dividends.
January 2, 2004